Have DDs at single sex grammar school AMA?

[BettyBooHoo]

Just that really

How much 11plus prep did you do in the two months prior to the exam? I have a daughter sitting the CSSE exam in a couple of months and not sure how much we should do over the summer so she doesn't forget anything in the time off!

I went to an all girls grammar and I loved it- hope your daughter's are having an equally positive experience. I still have a grammar mentality - career driven, very competitive and self deprecating!

Hi. Both my DDs saw a private tutor for most of year 5, for 45 minutes a week. He would then set them roughly 45 minutes of homework that DH and I were meant to check through with them. In the two months before the exam he increased their homework to include sitting quite a few 11+ past papers under timed conditions.

By the time they came to sit the actual exams they were very confident and completely comfortable with the format. They are both very happy at their school and really enjoying the experience

How wonderful, you must be so proud.

What was your backup plan if they hadn't got in? Are the local comps OK?

What if one of your DDs had passed the exam but the other hadn't - how would you have handled that?

What's your favourite colour?

How much worse are its results than academic private schools around your area and do you think they would do better in life had you chosen to pay school fees instead? Do you work full time?

Did you go to a Grammar school yourself? Both my parents did, 3 of my grandparents, my aunties etc. We had a lot of pressure but luckily my dsis and I both got in - it was EXPECTED of us. They didn't do tutoring in my day though . Do you think you got your money's worth? Would they have got in without the tutor in your opinion? What were the options if they didn't get in? I'm glad not to live in a Grammar area now.

Sorry if I'm mistaken BOF but isn't it you who has a daughter who went to a comprehensive and did extremely well and has an amazing job at Whitehall?

Would you consider doing an AMA?

Oh BOF that is amazing! Definitely do an AMA. You must be so proud!

Yes, she's just graduated from Durham- really proud of her. I don't know think I'd have much to say on an AMA though tbh. She got there under her own steam.

What have your children gained from being in the lunch queue with other grammar school children?

Do you worry about the mental health consequences of the amount of academic pressure and the expectations put on kids at these kind of schools?

Don’t get me wrong I’m genuinely not asking to be antagonistic but because I wonder about my kid who is years away from even primary school age and whether that would be a route I would nudge him toward or if it would be something he might in the end be better off avoiding.

Would you rather have accordions for legs or have a belly button that popped out and waved around every time music played?

What is the SEN provision like at such a school? Are children who are affected even let in?

Do they ever have any disciplinary issues there and how are they dealt with? Or do you not have to deal with that kind of chair throwing nonsense?

Do you worry about the fact that they are 'isolated' for want of a better word, from boys at school.

All the teens girls I know that are in single sex schools are rather awkward around the opposite sex.